Jersey rapper Russ recently dismissed award-winning rapper DaBaby’s claims of being blackballed in the music industry.
According to TMZ, screenshots from Russ’ Instagram revealed his sentiments about rappers, including DaBaby, claiming they’re being blackballed.
“No artist is blackballed unless they cut off your Wi-Fi, remove your social media accounts, and take your music off all the streaming platforms,” the “Best On Earth” artist wrote in his Instagram stories. “You are not blackballed. If you are famous and can still tell your fans, ‘hey, I’m putting out music,’ then you’re not blackballed.”
In September, DaBaby insinuated that he was being blackballed following low sales of his latest album, “Baby on Baby 2,” which dropped on the 23rd of that month.
“Not bad for da BlackBalled Baby [flexing arm emoji,” he wrote in his Instagram stories. However, Russ disagrees with the North Carolina native.
“Fans will listen to your music, or they won’t. It’s that simple,” he explained. “Also, if you are a famous artist and you NEED playlists in order for people to listen to your music, how real are your fans? Why don’t they support you regardless?”
Russ continued, encouraging musicians to stop allowing “DSPs to hold so much power” over them. A DSP (demand-side platform) is reportedly software that enables advertisers to purchase ads with the help of automation.
“We’re giving too much credit and power to the DSPs and not enough power to us (the artists) and the fans,” he said. “I know for me, as long as I can tell my fans I’m puttin’ out music, I’m straight. I’m not entitled to any playlists, nor do I NEED them for my fans to listen to me. That’s why they’re my FANS.”
While Russ’ point may have been valid, DaBaby fans refute his logic as the “Boogeyman” rapper seemingly fell from grace starting in 2021. At the time, DaBaby made insensitive remarks about the LGBTQ+ community during his Rolling Loud set. Surprisingly, he got to perform at Rolling Loud Miami and New York in 2022.
